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Period: to
the American Revolution to the Civil War
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Permanent Military Alliance
Benjamin Franklin negotiated a permanent military alliance with France after the capture of a British army at Saratoga. The French were thus encouraged to enter the war in support of Congress. In a way, this allowed for the USA to expand through France's official recognization of the Declaration of Independence. -
More Alliances
The Spanish and the Dutch finally became allies of the French. This left the British Empire to fight a global war alone without the aid of any allies. Due to this, America's only real threat was Britain, which significantly helped in terms of enabling America to retain their own land. This let America force the British troops to withdraw from the continent and allowed for America to keep the land that they have spent so much time acquiring.Brit -
Yorktown
The British were finally trapped in Yorktown, Virginia with the help of the French. America could finally be free of pesky British invasions and have the land to themselves. This was only so succesful due to the fact that America deicded to focus on expanding their network of alliances. -
Invention of the Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin was very profitable. it reduced the time required to separate seeds from cotton. During this time, the desire of plantations willing to switch from crops to cotton wasn't very high, so this led to an increase in the level of slavery. This led to the southern economy being based on one single crop - cotton. -
War of 1812
First war that USA declared as a country. Lots of political conflict around the war causing it. Fun fact: the star spangled-banner was written during the time of this war. -
Missouri Compromise
When this compromise passed, it implemented a rule wherewhich slavery would be prohibited in a limited number of states including states from the former Louisiana Purchase. -
Morse Code
An innovative invention to allow people at the time to communicate using the telegraph invented by Samuel Morse. -
Wilmot Proviso
David Wilmot attempted to ban slavery in America. This was shut down after much debate and wasn't succesful for very long. -
Compromise of 1850
This compromise was created by Henry Clay. It allowed for the "balance between slave and free states". This meant that certain states could decide how to handle their idea of slavery without any say or command from Government or Congress.
